The Chicago Bears will face the Vikings without this superstar in Week 6
The Chicago Bears finally found a way to win a game. It only took them 346 days to do it. Justin Fields has been putting up some elite numbers over the last two weeks and is on pace to break two Chicago Bears single-season franchise passing records held by Erik Kramer. Although in last place in the NFC North, the Bears could move closer to the top of the division by winning in Week 6 against the Vikings. The Packers are on a bye week, but Chicago could find themselves 2-4 on the year while the Packers hold the second spot in the division at only 2-3.
Although I am not one to get excited about injuries — I'd rather see the Bears beat teams at full strength — it is now reported that Justin Jefferson is going to miss at least four games due to a hamstring injury. With Jefferson on the sidelines, the Chicago Bears defense should be able to breathe a little easier. The Vikings have some other solid weapons in rookie wide receiver, Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, but no one compares to Justin Jefferson.
The Chicago Bears will face the Vikings without WR, Justin Jefferson
Through five games this season, Justin Jefferson is averaging 114 yards per game. He has three touchdowns on the year. That's tied for fifth in the league. To put more perspective on those numbers, DJ Moore is tied for first with five touchdowns. Jefferson's 571 yards ranks third in the league and is more than double the next receiver on their team.
Vikings Top 5 Receiving-Yard Leaders
Justin Jefferson - 36 catches, 571 yards, 3 TDs
T.J. Hockenson - 30 catches, 254 yards, 2 TDs
Jordan Addison - 19 catches, 249 yards, 3 TDs
Alexander Mattison - 14 catches, 76 yards, 2 TDs
K.J. Osborn - 13 catches, 166 yards, 2 TDs
Losing Justin Jefferson is a big blow for the Vikings and a huge help for the Chicago Bears. Since entering the NFL, the Vikings are 5-1 against the Bears with Jefferson on the roster. In those six games, Jefferson has caught 41 of 56 targets for 585 yards and two touchdowns. That's a catch rate of 73.2% and an average of 97.5 receiving yards per game. While playing against Matt Eberflus' defense last season, Jefferson caught 12 of 13 targets for 154 yards in Week 5. He caught four of five targets for 38 yards in the final game of the year but only played 51% of the snaps since the Vikings already locked in a playoff spot.
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If the Chicago Bears lose this game, it will keep Matt Eberflus winless against the NFC North. Last year, Chicago was a combined 0-6 against the Packers, Vikings and Lions. They already lost to the Packers in Week 1. Eberflus would drop to 0-8 in his career vs. the division and honestly, a loss to the Vikings without Justin Jefferson should put Eberflus further on the hot seat.